- Architectural Review Board
Architectural Review Board - February 20, 2025
Palo Alto’s Architectural Review Board selected six 2020-24 design award winners and delayed its townhome standards report to March 6.
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Six projects receive 2020-24 design awards
1700 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA
The Architectural Review Board selected six projects for its 2020-24 Design Awards: the Mercedes-Benz dealership, 3215 Porter Drive, Wilton Court at 3705 El Camino Real, 588 Webster Street, Nobu restaurant and Sushi Roku. The motion passed 4-0.
The selection followed a review process that reduced a pool of 79 projects to 28 eligible projects and then 10 shortlisted candidates. Although the board had previously discussed presenting five awards, it chose six winners and decided against assigning award categories.
The board considered but did not select an honorable mention for 555 Middlefield Road. Board member David Hirsch opposed that recognition, saying the project did not meet his standard for architectural excellence.
Staff will contact the winners, arrange an awards ceremony and collect presentation materials. The ceremony date will be announced at a future meeting.
Board raises preliminary concerns about Geng Road housing proposal
2100 through 2400 Geng Road, Palo Alto, CA
Board members raised preliminary concerns about housing-type variation and floodplain development for a proposed 11-acre townhouse project at 2100 through 2400 Geng Road. They took no action because the application had not yet been presented for review.
Chair Kendra Rosenberg cautioned that the board had not received the project. Staff described it as a pending builder’s remedy site and design application and said it is expected to proceed through the Architectural Review Board and Planning Commission before City Council consideration.
Townhome standards report moves to March 6
The board voted 4-0 to continue its review of an ad hoc committee report on objective standards for townhomes to March 6.
Board member David Hirsch said the committee needed more time to complete its work and submit materials for the next meeting packet. Palo Alto adopted objective design standards for housing development in 2022 with the expectation that they would require further review.
Primary sources
Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet